From James Madison to William Madison, 11 January 1811
To William Madison
Washington Jany. 11. 1811.
Dear brother
I observe that a parcel of Merinoes are to be sold at Amphill on the 17th. inst.1 From the numbers latte⟨r⟩ly imported, & the little demand as yet excited in Virga. it is not unlikely they may go off at very low prices, say 20. 30. or 40 dollars for Ewes. In this case I shd. wish you to have 8 or 10 of the younger ones bought for me, & sent up to Orange, taking for granted that their pedigree is well authenticated, or evinced by their external characters. Having eno’ already to require a separate estabt. such an addition wd. not be felt in the trouble &c. I should even be willing to buy a greater than the above number, in case the price shd. not exceed 20 or 25 dollrs. If the Rams shd. be good, & sell for less than $100 dollars I advise you to purchase one for yourself. This with mine wd. be an ensurance for both of us. I hear nothing from Philada. since my last.2 Yrs. affey
J. Madison
RC (courtesy of an anonymous collector). Addressed by JM to William Madison at the House of Delegates in Richmond. Below JM’s address “Orange C H” was added, then crossed through and the letter redirected to Richmond.
1. On 8 Jan. 1811 the National Intelligencer had advertised a sale of merino sheep to be held at Ampthill, the seat of Robert Temple, in Chesterfield County, about seven miles south of Richmond.
2. JM had presumably been corresponding with his brother about the health of Alfred Madison. His letters have not been found.